European Union continues the support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus with additional EUR 5 million Euros

The European Commission has signed a new agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), allocating an additional EUR 5 million to support the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) for the years 2025-2029. This funding, part of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, aims to support efforts towards Cyprus's reunification by safeguarding and restoring the island’s diverse cultural heritage.

As the main contributor of the TCCH work since 2012, the European Union has provided a total of €32.5 million, demonstrating the strong dedication to building confidence and reconciliation in Cyprus. In collaboration with UNDP, the TCCH has successfully restored and preserved over 160 cultural heritage sites across the island.

In addition to preserving cultural heritage, this new project phase will continue to involve younger generations through the Heritage Ambassadors initiative, encouraging them to be active custodians of Cyprus’s shared heritage.

The project will further digital preservation and online accessibility, by digitalising restored sites, offering enhanced virtual tours, 3D reconstructions and online archiving. 

The European Commission supports the work of the TCCH in protecting and safeguarding the diversity of cultural heritage of Cyprus and in raising the public awareness on the role that heritage plays in peace building. It is with these guiding principles in mind that the European Union has been funding cultural heritage in Cyprus and it will be proud to continue this important support. 

For more information: www.cyprusdigitalheritage.org.